For those of us growing up with “Sex and the City”, Manolo Blahnik has become the most influential footwear designer thanks to Carrie Bradshaw’s obsession with them. Ever since, we’ve admired, drooled over and dreamt about Manolo Blahnik’s romantic shoes.
Over the past 50 years, the Wallace Collection has been a source of creative inspiration to Manolo Blahnik. He is a regular visitor and admirer, and has established a personal and close relationship with the place. For this unique exhibition he has worked with the Wallace Collection’s curators to select particular shoes that were inspired by the Collection, in return hoping to inspire visitors to appreciate the Wallace Collection’s great display of art, objects and interiors through this one-of-a-kind visual assemblage.
Each room has been curated such that the collection of shoes matches the rooms in terms of their design, colours and themes. There are a total of 10 rooms with more than 160 pairs of shoes. You completely get lost in the beauty, and the detail of each one of them. The satin, ribbons, bows, and construction of each shoe is simply exquisite. The osmosis with the art is immediately obvious.
His collaboration with the Wallace Collection marks the first time that the venue has allowed its permanent collection to be interrupted by another designer’s work.
As many people are not aware of the Wallace Collection, hopefully this exhibition will raise the awareness of this beautiful place. Its coffee shop is also a great place to pause, relax and to have a cup of coffee away from the crowds.
Whether you are a shoe lover or not, you will not be sorry to visit this exhibition or the Wallace Collection. It is free to visit so you have no excuse not to. Due to high demand, the exhibition has been extended until 27 October.
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